Cannabis, likewise referred to as cannabis, is a psychedelic drug originated from the marijuana plant. It has actually been utilized for medical and leisure functions for centuries, and its legality differs by nation and jurisdiction. When taken in, marijuana can produce a variety of impacts, consisting of transformed understanding, increased hunger, and relaxation. However, its usage likewise brings possible threats, such as impaired cognitive function and increased danger of dependency.
A current research study has actually examined the death rates throughout 7 states that have leisure marijuana dispensaries.
The University of Illinois Chicago has actually performed a brand-new research study that used death certificate information to compare the death rates in between states that have actually legislated leisure marijuana dispensaries and those that just provide access to medical marijuana.
The scientists found a considerable increase in auto accident casualties in 4 out of the 7 states consisted of in the research study where leisure marijuana markets were legislated. On average, the existence of leisure markets associated with a 10% boost in casualties from automobile mishaps.
Study very first author Samantha Marinello stated the findings recommend that it might be helpful for states with legal leisure marijuana to buy policies and public health efforts to reduce this possible damage and construct awareness of the risks of driving under the impact.
“To see a 10% increase in motor vehicle accident deaths associated with recreational markets is concerning. Previous studies have found cannabis impairs driving ability and that driving while high is fairly common among regular cannabis users,” stated Marinello, a postdoctoral research study connect with the department of health policy and administration at the UIC School of Public Health.
For the analysis, Marinello and Lisa Powell, UIC identified teacher and director of the department, concentrated on 7 states that carried out legal leisure marijuana markets: Alaska, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, andWashington They gathered information from death certificates from 2009-2019 on deaths in 3 locations that have actually formerly been connected to marijuana usage however are still improperly comprehended: automobile mishaps, suicide, and opioid overdose.
For each cause of death, the scientists compared patterns in deaths in states with legal markets with those in states that had thorough medical marijuana programs and comparable patterns in death rates prior to executing markets.
“We didn’t want to compare states with very different mortality trends or social ideology, so we looked at each state and outcome and identified comparison states with existing medical cannabis programs and with similar pre-trends to conduct our analysis,” Marinello stated.
The information exposed considerable boosts in crash casualties in Colorado (16%), Oregon (22%), Alaska (20%), and California (14%).
“The results suggest that a potential unintended consequence of recreational markets is increased cannabis-intoxicated driving and crash deaths, and, hence, a potential need for policies focused on reducing driving under the influence of cannabis,” the authors compose.
The scientists discovered no proof that leisure markets affected suicides, which is significant since marijuana usage is related to the advancement of depressive conditions and suicidality.
For opioid overdose deaths, leisure markets were related to an 11% decrease in casualties, usually. Across all 7 states, the decrease varied from 3% to 28%.
Marinello stated that the decrease in opioid overdose casualties is another possible location of effect that must be a consider states thinking about legalization.
“This study provides evidence of both potential benefits and harms that policymakers should consider when legalizing recreational cannabis markets,” Marinello stated.
Reference: “The impact of recreational cannabis markets on motor vehicle accident, suicide, and opioid overdose fatalities” by Samantha Marinello and Lisa M. Powell, 16 January 2023, Social Science & & Medicine
DOI: 10.1016/ j.socscimed.2023115680
